UNITED STATES

Kris Fondran

Explain the feeling you had the first time you put on skates.
Total ease within the effort. It was a challenge that felt completely natural. If that makes sense.

What is your inspiration to keep skating?
Truly one of the most enjoyable ways to stay in shape. It is difficult to skate and not smile. I was a marathon runner for years and while I loved to run, I am pretty sure I wasn’t smiling too much while doing it!

We truly believe skating makes a better world. How do you think skating makes the world a better place?
There is a connection with skaters that transcends borders and languages. Having been involved with the Inline Certification Program (ICP) for over 25 years I have experienced it first-hand delivering programs to skaters around the world.

How do you keep progressing and reinventing yourself?
I guess I am not afraid to be uncomfortable. There probably isn’t a day that goes by where I haven’t been out of my comfort zone in some way. Not that I am stressed out or anything—I have yoga to take care of that! But through trying new things, going beyond what I think I can do, putting myself “out there” I continue to grow. I think that is the key to progressing as a person and staying young from the inside out.

What’s the most helpful tip you want to share with any skater?
Learn how to control your speed. Most people, kids especially, come to skating because they want to “skate fast” which is awesome because that makes skating even more fun. BUT if you “skate fast”, you need to know how to “stop fast”. That really goes for adults too. Don’t blow off taking some time to learn how to control your speed and stop. Skating is an awesome sport, a great way to stay in shape, an amazing way to explore the world-- don’t let that first experience be your last!

Imagine a world filled with animals who can skate. If you could be any of those animals what would you be and why?
I would have to be a penguin. Penguins live on the ice and on land. My very first skating experience was on the ice and I have been skating in some way nearly daily ever since! As an ice and inline skating instructor I may go from the ice, to pavement, and back to the ice in the same day. Clearly, I am a penguin.